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Do you have a career path for your employees? Idealase Safety Bulletin - Feb 11th

Feb. 11 2022 Safety By McCandless Idealease

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The February 11th edition of the weekly Idealease safety bulletin has arrived! View highlights below and SIGN UP to get these weekly safety and compliance information delivered straight to your inbox! Share, download or print the PDF version here. 

Looking for past bulletins? Visit https://www.idealease.com/safety-compliance/safety-bulletins

Do You Have a Career Path for Your Employees?

In this issue:

  • Cargo Securement Regulations
  • Heart Month Tip
  • While doing my pre-trip inspection I noticed a cut in the side wall of one of my tires, is this an out of service violation?
  • FMCSA Issues Guidance on Third Party Testing for ELDT

TRUCK DRIVER AND TECHNICIAN RECRUITMENT CONTINUES TO BE AN ONGOING STRUGGLE IN OUR INDUSTRY

What are you doing to retain the good drivers and technicians that you currently have? 

There is no clear answer to driver and technician retention but there are several proven methods that you can implement to reduce turnover.  

One is to develop a career path for all your employees to follow.  Another common term used for a career path is driver or technician elevation program.  If an employee does not have a clear vision of what they can achieve with your company, they are likely to become dormant and will eventually leave the company.  

Both drivers and technicians will leave a company for a pay rate that is slightly higher than what they are currently receiving.   I would recommend that you tie training and pay increases together.   The technician can increase their pay by completing training and passing examinations.   This has proven to be a benefit to the employer and the employee.  The employer benefits by having technicians who are highly skilled and educated to repair and service units.  The technicians can repair and service the units more efficiently with a lower occurrence of comeback repairs. Technicians can increase their pay and enhance their careers with education.  

Imagine the savings you could have with all employees at the highest level of education and pay! 

CARGO SECUREMENT REGULATIONS

Proper securement not only prevents loss of control or falling cargo, but helps prevent injury to drivers, passengers and/or pedestrians.  While safe cargo securement principles (as well as regulations) apply to every single item carried for delivery, they also apply to anything else on the truck, including dunnage, tool and equipment (shovels, blocks, webbing, chains, spare tires, brooms, forklifts, pallet jacks, winches, ratchets, etc)

TIPS:

  1.  KNOW THE REGULATIONS 
  2.  INVEST IN THE ILLUSTRATED CAGO SECUREMENT HANDBOOK
  3.  DOWNLOAD THE FMCSA DRIVER'S HANDBOOK ON CARGO SECUREMENT AND PROVIDE A COPY TO YOUR DRIVERS. 
  4.   PROPERLY SECURE ALL EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS YOUR LOAD
  5.   INSPECT TIE-DOWNS FOR WEAR AND DAMAGE
  6.   BRACE AND BLOCK CARGO PROPERLY WITHIN SIDED OR VAN TRAILERS
  7.   USE BEST PRACTICES OR DUE DILIGENCE - Do you research; hire a professional if needed. 

HEART MONTH TIP

What can you do to help control hypertension?

  • Eat healthy foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy. Limit sodium, get plenty of potassium
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Increase physical activity - strive for 30 minutes a day
  • Limit alcohol - drink in moderation
  • Don't smoke
  • Manage your stress and get plenty of sleep


Q: While doing my pre-trip inspection I noticed a cut in the side wall of one of my tires, is this an out of service violation?







A: It is an out of service violation if the sidewall is cut, worn, or damaged to the extent that the ply cord is exposed.  (393.75(a)) 



FMCSA Issues Guidance on Third Party Testing for ELDT

Entry-Level Driver Training Rule is effective as of February 7, 2022. 

Under that rule, an entry-level driver applicant must meet certain training requirements before applying to:

  • Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
  • Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL
  • Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time

The ELDT regulations are not retroactive; individuals who were issued a CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement prior to February 7, 2022, are not required to complete training for the respective CDL or endorsement. The training must be conducted by an entity that has certified it meets the FMCSA’s training standards and is listed on the agency’s Training Provider Registry.

In addition, the FMCSA has amended its regulatory guidance to explain that its current statutory authorities and regulations do not prohibit third party testers from administering the commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for all classes and endorsements. State Drivers Licensing Agencies may accept the results of knowledge tests administered by third party testers in accordance with existing knowledge test standards and requirements.


*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.